Name Blessing???

[Daniel1Catholic]

Hello all,
I am a Catholic from Toronto, Ontario, and i have a question regarding something that occurred just prior to my first reconciliation a few years back. I remember having to write my name on a piece of paper, and then dip it in holy water, until the name was clear. Does anyone know what this is? They treated it like a big deal, and I think I recall a woman telling me my sins were forgiven, or something along those lines.

PAX

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Sometimes parishes add rituals that are in addition to the sacraments or RCIA rites. This sounds like such a ritual. It’s not universal in the Church, but something your parish did. Dipping your name did not absolve your sins, but it may have helped remind you of the importance of baptism and reconciliation.

 

[MarkThompson]

That sounds like something somebody in your parish invented to try to add some visual interest to the sacrament of Reconciliation. Sometimes these things are well-intentioned; sometimes they devolve into farce, especially where children are involved. I have never heard of the particular dipping practice you describe, and it is not a practice of the Church. Your sins are forgiven, yes, but because of the absolution you receive in sacramental confession.

 

[Sunbreak]

I’ve never heard of such a thing. It sounds like one of those things that parish people in charge of something make up. For example, once I went to a reconciliation service at a parish and the woman coordinator of the “event” told everyone to take one of the paper snowflakes from off a nearby table after reconciliation to remind us that God loves us. I might even be able to understand this if it this was for children, but this was for adults. It was ridiculous.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I too have never heard of such tomfoolery. This sounds like an innovation of the “Spirit of Vatican II”.

 

[Martin15]

This sort of thing is woefully common in the UK.

I remember doing something along the lines of writing a sin on a piece of paper and putting it onto a metal plate; once everyone had done this the pieces of paper were burnt in order to send them up to God and clear our consciences (or some such). This was in a meeting (without the priest) shortly before my confirmation.